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Job Trottei 

Seeks Health 

Finds Negroes’ Earthly Paradise 
is Africa 

Jdy Sylvestez Field 

1 1 



Hzoadway Publishing Company 
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COPY B. 



Copyrighted, 1904, 
BY 

SYLVESTER FIELD. 


All Rights Reserved. 




DEDICATED 


TO 

MY FAITHFUL HELPMEET. 












JOB TROTTER 


CHAPTER I. 

Job Trotter was a handsome young man, 
who with his widowed mother lived with her 
brother, a successful merchant in an eastern 
city. 

Mr. Post offered his sister a home in his 
family when her husband died, and his wife 
and only son did all in their power to make 
their home a pleasant one to these greatly be- 
reaved relatives. The cousins were about the 
same age. Both chose mercantile life, and a 
course in a commercial college; after which 
Mr. Post took them into his employ. 

Mrs. Trotter mourned for her husband un- 
til her health was undermined, and she wilted 
like a crushed flower. After five years she, 
too, was laid in the grave. Job was prostrated 
with grief. His love for his mother was in- 
tense. She was his earthly idol, and he won- 
dered that he could live without her. Time 
and close application to business helped him to 
recover from the first shock, but his continued 


2 


Job Trotter. 

sadness and dislike of company changed him 
so that his uncle offered to start the cousins 
in a branch store in a neighboring village, that 
the entire change of scene might restore Job’s 
interest in life, and give both young men a 
new chance for advancement in business. 

Louis Post with his cousin had been active 
in their church life, and were favorites among 
the young people. Now Louis had to join in 
the entertainments alone. Such a change in 
Job inclined Louis to accept his father’s offer 
with enthusiasm, and a pleasant village, one of 
the prettiest in New England, was decided on 
for the new store. 

Job invested a part of the fortune his father 
left him in it, and the prospect seemed very 
bright. Their young friends all regretted their 
going, and Louis became engaged to one with 
whom he was desparately in love. ” 


Job Trotter. 


3 


CHAPTER II. 

They took rooms in the best hotel in the 
place. A new building was rented for their 
store. It was well stocked with goods. Plenty 
of advertising brought them customers, and 
life began again to look attractive to Job. He 
enjoyed the close attention given to his work. 

Louis not only liked the business but was 
rejoiced to have Job more like his old-time 
self, for the cousins were as fond of each other 
as David and Jonathan of olden time. 

They took an interest in their church, and 
were again loyal to “Christ and the Church.” 
They met pleasant people, old and young. 
Their business grew steadily and more clerks 
were employed. They decided more time must 
be given to recreation. Louis insisted upon 
it, so they joined in the athletic games of the 
village and became popular with all they had to 
do with. The village people soon discovered 
that two fine young men had come among 
them to reside. Louis made friends easily. 


4 


Job Trotter. 

His good nature and manliness won all their 
hearts. Job was more quiet, but his handsome 
face, fine form and unusual height of six feet 
impressed all who saw him as an attractive 
man, and a perfect gentleman in manners. 


Job Trotter. 


5 


CHAPTER III. 

When summer came and the school vaca- 
tions took place many new young ladies 
patronized the store. College girls were in 
evidence. 

Louis sent to his father for more fancy no- 
tions, and had a display in the windows of 
pretty ribbons, silver ornaments, and trinkets 
and a variety of attractive articles to catch the 
fancy of the girls, so their store became more 
popular than ever. Pretty girls and plain girls, 
old ones and young ones all came. Louis 
showed some attention to all. Job said he 
liked the plain and old ones the best. They 
bought what they wanted with less talk and 
fuss. He never waited on any of them unless 
the number in the store required him to as- 
sist. 

But, alas! for theories — one day a customer 
came in, who so attracted him, by her beauty, 
that he forgot his professed preference for plain 
ones, and made the selection of goods and price 
so easy for her that her purchase was a large 


6 


Job Trotter. 

one, and it was with eager delight he took her 
address where the goods were to be sent. It 
was to Mr. Settledon’s, Vine Avenue. As 
soon as he could have a word with Louis he 
asked him if he knew them. Louis said, 
“No, and yet knew of them.” Squire Set- 
tledon was one of the rich men of the place, 
who had an elegant home on the Avenue. His 
wife had been in the store, but Job had not 
noticed her. This must be the eldest daughter, 
who had been away to college. A younger 
sister had been in the store several times, but 
he had waited on her, as Job did not care for 
“pretty girls.” 

He observed that both sisters were con- 
sidered pretty. He had heard a good deal in 
their praise as active Christian girls. He had 
never seen the elder one, and asked Job what 
he thought of her. 

“She is superbly beautiful. I never saw 
such large, expressive eyes, or such an ex- 
quisite complexion on any young face before. 
I hope she will come into the store often.” 

Days passed and she did not come. He 
walked past her home often, but could not see 
anything of her. He consulted Louis as to 
how they could contrive to get acquainted with 
her. They ascertained her family went to the 
Methodist Church, so to the Methodist Church 
they went, for a change. They did not wish 
to be considered “narrow-minded,” besides. 


7 


Job Trotter. 

were not some of their best customers in that 
church too? They found it so pleasant to see 
Hope Settledon enter the church that Job said 
he much preferred that church, not that he 
liked his church less, but this one (when Hope 
was there) more. They watched her as she 
came in with her family. They visited the 
Sabbath School. She was there a teacher. 
They went to evening meeting, she was there. 
Job could think or talk to Louis of no one else. 
He said he would give half of what he was 
worth to know her. 


8 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER IV. 

Louis wrote to his father asking if he knew 
Squire Settledon, and if so to give him a letter 
of introduction. 

The desired letter came. He took it to the 
Squire’s office, and was kindly received. Soon 
an invitation came for him and his cousin to 
dine with the family in their house. It was 
a blissful occasion for Job. He had not antici- 
pated the half of what the realization was, to 
be near and to talk to the eldest daughter, 
whose name was Hope. Louis did his part by 
making himself agreeable to the older people 
and younger sister. His heart was true to 
“the girl he left behind him.” He was not 
now taken with beauty and bright eyes, but was 
glad to have Job interested once more in com- 
panions of a suitable age. 

While Louis had made his selection of a 
sweetheart, Job had been considered rather as 
a flirt. He always said his heart belonged 
to his mother, and he was well content in her 
love. Now he seemed to have met his fate. 
Would the “Course of true love run smooth,” 
or meet with its usual fatality ? 


9 


Job Trotter. 

When they went to call a few evenings 
after the dinner, there were four hats on the 
rack, and Job was greatly disappointed. The 
call was a short one. Hope was brilliantly 
beautiful, and entertained all with ease and 
fluent conversation. Job felt quite miserable. 
Could the “Rose that all were praising” be 
for him? He feared not; and notwithstanding 
the encouragement Louis gave him he was 
dreadfully despondent. 

He called again, but others were there, and 
she showed him no special favor. He called 
in the afternoon, and invited her to a concert. 
She accepted. Oh, what bliss in imagination, 
and more yet in realization! He complained 
of the many hats on the rack when he called 
in the evenings. She said they were old friends 
who came to while away their time. 

How did Hope like him? She told her 
father she had never met any one so agree- 
able as he was, never in her life before, and 
that if he did not like so many hats on the 
rack she would be out for the first part of every 
evening, until her old beaux left off coming, 
so that he could call in peace, and they enjoy 
themselves together. 

Her father told her that would be too 
marked a preference for him; but she was de- 
cided that she wished to see no one else but 
him. 


io Job Trotter. 

“Would you be willing to marry him, my 
dear ?” 

“Indeed, I would; if he asked me I would 
jump at the chance.” 

“You must be careful. Don’t think too 
much of him. He is only an acquaintance.” 

“I don’t care if I do say it to you, I am fas- 
cinated with him. I want no other friend. 
I will give up every one who comes here, so 
that he will enjoy coming.” 


Job Trotter. 


ii 


CHAPTER V. 

How did Job feel? He told Louis: “It is 
no use for me to flatter myself that Hope 
would prefer me; she has so many admirers. 
I am only one of the last of her acquaintances. 
She must like her old friends best. She is so 
polite to all; so kind-hearted always; no more 
to me than to any one else. I can never win 
her. I might as well give up the thought, 
and attend to my store.” 

“No,” said Louis, “you have as good a 
chance as any one. When she knows you bet- 
ter she will appreciate you, for I will say a 
better, purer man never lived in this town. If 
she does not understand your worth, and treat 
you well, she will lose the rare chance of a life- 
time. Ask her to ride with you, get her by 
yourself; cut out those other fellows. You 
can do it, if you will.” 

It was one of Job’s blue days. He had not 
seen Hope for a week, when, wonderful to 
relate, she came into the store one morning, 
looking as fresh and sweet as a lily. 

“Now, Job,” said Louis, “there’s a chance 
for you.” 


12 


Job Trotter. 

Job advanced, the smiling clerk withdrew. 
Hope lingered over the goods she was looking 
at, and finally purchased the piece he liked 
best. It was for a dress for herself. This so 
encouraged him that he asked her if she would 
ride with him in the afternoon. She said, 
“Yes” so sweetly that he believed she was 
pleased with the invitation. 

They had a charming ride, so both thought. 
He asked her if she would go again on a 
pleasant lake drive some miles away, some day. 
She said she would, and she set the day she 
could go. 

Job was so delighted with this success that 
he bought a gentle, beautiful horse and easy 
phaeton for the occasion. When the day for 
their going arrived, and she saw the rig she 
praised it as in perfect taste, and was charmed 
with the pretty carriage that moved so easily. 
They rode to the lake. The horse was left 
in charge of a hostler, and they went into a 
grotto on the bank. The view, the quiet, and 
the lovely girl at his side all conspired to en- 
able him to be agreeable and to talk with a 
freedom and ease that enchanted her. 

He asked her, “Do you really like my horse 
and carriage?” 

“I admire it very much. I never rode in a 
more comfortable one.” 

“It will give me pleasure to give it to you. 
Will you accept it from me?” 


Job Trotter. 13 

“Oh, I could not accept such a valuable 
gift.” 

“Why not ?” 

“Papa has always said I must not accept 
a gift from a gentleman I am not engaged to.” 

“Then that objection can be removed. Will 
you engage yourself to me ?” 

“Oh, what have I said?” and Hope buried 
her face in her hands. 

Then Job had the opportunity of telling all 
his love for her. Hope burst into tears. 

“Why, my darling, why do you weep?” 

“Because I am so happy.” 

And then followed words and loving ex- 
pressions that beggar description. Imagina- 
tion never fails us ! 


*4 


Job Trotter 


CHAPTER VI. 

Time, relentless time, at last warned them 
to return home. Hope asked Job to dine with 
them. He accepted the invitation. He wanted 
to see her parents, and to get their approval 
of him as a son. He watched Hope enter her 
father’s door, and thought, “She is my Hope; 
truly she loves me ; her heart is mine, and mine 
alone.” It was not long before he returned 
from the livery stable. Hope was waiting at 
the window for him. She rushed to the door, 
and embraced him. He asked to see her 
father, and she took him to the library. 

“Papa, we want to talk with you.” 

Her father laid aside his book, and greeted 
Job kindly, who said: 

“I have come to ask your consent to my pos- 
session of your daughter. I have her heart, 
and she has mine. My life and all it is worth 
are hers. Will you accept me as your son, and 
sanction our union ?” 

“Hope, do you really love him as you should 
love to unite your life with his?” 

“Father, I cannot tell how much I love him. 


Job Trotter. 15 

I can only say that I am perfectly happy in his 
love” 

“Then, my children, I give my consent. I 
am well acquainted with the character of his 
relatives, and of his late father. I am per- 
fectly satisfied with what I know of him. God 
bless you both in your choice of each other.” 

“You are the best papa in the world.” 

They went to look for her mother. She 
was in the cheerful sitting-room. She wel- 
comed Job cordially, and asked if they had had 
a pleasant ride. Job answered for both : 

“Hope has said she enjoyed it, and for me 
it has been the pleasantest of my life, a memor- 
able ride. Hope has promised to be my wife. 
We want you now to give us loving congratu- 
lations on our true love for each other, and 
happy prospects.” 

“Oh, mother, I am so happy,” said Hope, 
as she put her arm's around her mother's neck, 
and laid her head on her mother’s breast. The 
tears came into the mother’s eyes as she held 
Hope in her arms, and said: 

“How can I give you up, my precious child ?” 

“You need not,” said Job, “only take me as 
your son; your daughter’s husband. It will 
be our delight to stay near you, and add all 
we can to your happiness, as long as you live. 
Will you accept me as your son, with all a 
son’s devotion? As I loved to care for my 
mother, so will I gladly care for you,” 


1 6 Job Trotter. 

“You can’t help loving him, dear mother, 
when you know him, as I do. He is a true 
Christian, mother.” 

“Well, my darling, you have settled the mat- 
ter in earnest. I believe you do love each 
other. I shall not oppose your decision. Job 
is welcome to come to our home at any time 
as one of our family. It is time that dinner 
was served. I will ring that I am ready for 
it. Job will remain and dine with us, I am 
sure.” 


Job Trotter. 


17 


CHAPTER VII. 

Louis was convinced that Job had met with 
pleasant experiences as he heard him whistling 
the next morning right merrily, and before he 
was fairly awake, Job rushed into his room 
and told the good news. 

“I do, indeed, rejoice with you,” said Louis. 

“I came home at twelve and looked in on 
you, but you slept so soundly, I did not like 
to wake you.” 

“It was well you did not. I am a bear when 
disturbed at night, and would have thrown the 
furniture at you.” 

“Then I would have thrown you out of the 
window.” 

“You must have been in a fighting mood.” 

“I felt strong enough to challenge the wind, 
if it blew rudely on Hope.” 

“When will you be married?” 

“Very soon, I trust. I shall ask Hope this 
morning, when I go to see her, to set the 
day.” 

Hope said, “Most folks are engaged two 
years.” 


1 8 Job Trotter. 

“Let us start a new and better fashion. Say, 
two weeks.” 

“Oh, that is too soon. College begins next 
week, and I graduate in another year.” 

“You are not going to return to college?” 

“Why not?” 

“I can’t spare you.” 

“I ought to finish my college course.” 

“And leave me?” 

“I will be awfully sorry to.” 

“I will get sick and die.” 

“If you are sick I will return and take care 
of you.” 

“It is no use of your going then, as I will 
be taken dangerously ill the first week, if you 
do. You know enough of usual studies now. 
We will be married and read lots of books 
together, and we both will enjoy the same read- 
ing then.” 

“I am willing, but what will papa say?” 

“He will say it is the best way. ‘An ounce 
of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ for 
my health.” 

The parents demurred, but finally were won 
over, and Christmas was the time set for the 
wedding. 

Her father gave her a new pretty house near 
his. It was rented for the summer, but the 
tenants would soon leave, and he would have 
it newly decorated and furnished for them. 

Christmas came at last. A private family 


i9 


Job Trotter. 

wedding was given to Hope, and they went 
to housekeeping in the loveliest of residences, 
the gift of her father. It was all their own. 
They planted rare roses, trained more vines 
over the verandas, planted memorial trees, 
“For,” as Hope said, “this will always be our 
home, and we will make it the most attractive 
place in the world. What shall we name it?” 

“ ‘Home, sweet home,’ ” said Job. 

So that became its name, and all said it 
was a most suitable one. 

Five years followed of comfort and devo- 
tion, during which a precious boy was born 
to them. They called him Gaylord, after her 
father. He was a fine healthy child, but when 
he was three years old he had the whooping 
cough. 

Anxiety for his boy, and a bleak winter of 
storms resulted in such a severe cold to Job 
that it settled on his lungs and nothing seemed 
to cure him, so the doctor insisted upon his 
going South. 

“Shall I go alone?” he asked Hope. 

“No, indeed, we wiH all go.” 

“And leave this beautiful home?” 

“It is worth nothing to me without you.” 

Hasty preparations were made, and soon 
all three were speeding to the “Sunny South.” 


20 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The change of climate was most delightful. 
The balmy air worked like a charm on Job. 
Out-of-door life was an agreeable and effica- 
cious remedy. Their hotel life was comfort- 
able. The Southern people they found were 
social, with agreeable, easy manners. Hope 
fell in love with their ways at once; only she 
did not like to hear these elegant gentlemen 
say: “I’ll kill that nigger.” 

This they did repeatedly when there was 
any slight fault to find, or when an order did 
not receive immediate obedience. Every one 
else was allowed, and expected to be slow, and 
to do little or nothing. Hope soon discovered 
she was in a slave state. Pleasant as this life 
was they became tired of it, and they all 
longed for home life once more. After some 
time spent in looking for a house, they suc- 
ceeded in obtaining a cottage belonging to a 
planter near his own, and once again they en- 
joyed a quiet and beautiful home. 

The next three years were full of quiet en- 
joyment. The planter’s family were most kind 


21 


Job Trotter. 

and social. His wife was somewhat of an in- 
valid. She often called for Mrs. Trotter to 
ride with her in her carriage. She was a typi- 
cal Southern lady, and did not care to walk. 
Her slave attendant expressed it: 

“My Missus is a lady, and her foot ain’t 
’quainted wid de groun’. I jes’ obsarves sum 
folk usinized to walk. She isn’t, sho nuff.” 

Beautiful flowers and delicious fruits came 
with “my compliments.” Their only son, 
Cecil, came often with his “Nigger Mose” 
to play with Gay. 

The boys found lizards and snakes that were 
harmless, so Gay became accustomed to them. 
One morning he called the boys to see his beau- 
tiful nest of lizards. 

“Them isn’t lizzards, them’s ’gaters,” said 
Mose. “Them’s bites.” 

Gay rushed to the house. “Come, mother, 
and see my 4 ’gaters,’ ” he said. 

She went wth him, and admired them, of 
course, but made Gay promise he would not 
handle them, and he was content to see them 
grow. He found chamelions and fed them 
with flies; saw them change color when put 
on different colored leaves, and in this way the 
boys had royal good times together. 

Mrs. Trotter was privileged to have one of 
the planter’s house-servants for her use, and 
an old mammy that was allowed to earn a little 


22 


Job Trotter. 

money for herself by extra work, took the 
washing for her. 

“I ’lowed to do it mighty cheap, Honey, ef 
yo’ prowide de ingregiances” (soap and 
starch). 

Job enjoyed the trees of this land. Some 
pines were eighty feet and more high. The 
water oaks, straight and crooked, laden with 
Florida moss, some hanging six feet and eight 
feet from the trees and swaying gracefully in 
the mild breeze, were found in abundance. 
This wonderful growth of moss with a tough 
hair-like fibre through every stem to place of 
clinging is not a parasite, but lives on air, and 
in the spring it has small green flowers on it. 
He also admired Indian River, wide and 
straight, parallel with the Atlantic, 160 miles; 
the shores fringed with the orange blossoms. 
Magnolias and honeysuckle were plentifully 
found. The Indians loved to camp here. 


Job Trotter. 


23 


CHAPTER IX. 

Job’s health became established. The easy, 
joyful life he expressed in a quotation from 
Longfellow : 

“O Gift of God! O perfect day: 

Whereon shall no man work , but play : 
Whereon it is enough for me, 

Not to be doing, but to be! 

“Through every fibre of my brain, 

Through every nerve, through every vein 
I feel the electric thrill, the touch 
Of life, that seems so much. 

“I hear the wind among the trees 
Playing celestial symphonies ; 

I see the branches downzvard bent; 

Like keys of some great instrument. 

“And over me unrolls on high 
The splendid scenery of the sky, 

Where through a sapphire sea the sun 
Sails like a golden galleon. 


24 


Job Trotter. 

“0 Life and Love! 0 happy throng 
Of thoughts, whose only speech is song! 

0 heart of man! const thou not be 
Blithe as the air is, and as free? ,> 

He had much poetry in his nature and mem- 
ory, and it was awakened by these pleasant 
surroundings, as he and Hope sauntered in the 
woods listening to the mocking-birds and other 
songsters. Bluebirds and cardinal grosbecks, 
with their gay plumage, were there also by the 
lake side. The moonlight evenings were spent 
out-of-doors, watching nature’s changes so 
quickly made. 

The brief twilight and the sunsets, leaving 
rays of splendor, were very greatly admired 
as they sat on the verandas or in a boat. The 
dark nights were enjoyed as much, though in a 
different way, in the house in each other’s com- 
pany, with reading and music. Both were good 
players on the piano, and their voices harmo- 
nized so that one of their greatest pleasures 
was that of singing together. 

‘This is an ideal life,” said Hope, “and has 
given you your health, my precious husband. 
I hope we can live here always. Will you 
not buy this cottage, and have it for our win- 
ter home? and let us name it Pine Grove Cot- 
tage. It is so rural. It is a real bower of 
beauty. We have the eastern sun that rises 
in bright orange color, and the western that 


25 


Job Trotter. 

sets in golden rays. We might name it 
'Paradise,’ it is so like what that must be. 
We can live and die here, and go to Paradise 
having a foretaste of it.” 

"I am willing to buy it, if the planter will 
sell it to me, but I think we had better try it 
one year longer before we decide.” 


26 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER X. 

The planter invited them to visit his plan- 
tation. They accepted and went with him. 
Hope became interested in some old negroes, 
almost blind. She afterwards visited them, 
read the Bible to them and taught them Gos- 
pel songs. She also taught some of the chil- 
dren to read. Her kind heart went out to 
these ignorant slaves whose lives were con- 
trolled by their owners. She heard of the 
kindness of their friend, the owner of the plan- 
tation where they lived, and thought the neat 
cabins were good homes, and their planta- 
tion songs interested her — such as “Old Black 
Joe,” “Suwanee River,” and others like them. 
They never tired of them, and she often heard 
them singing before she reached a cabin : 

“One little hut among the hushes 
One dat I love , 

Still sadly to my memory rushes 
No matter where I rove. 

“When shall I see de bee a-hummin’ , 

All round de comb , 

When will I hear de banjo tummin’ 

Down in my good old home?” 


27 


Job Trotter. 

She could not meditate on the woes of 
slavery; the sad experience of children sold 
away from their parents, as bad as the home- 
sickness of all children away from home and 
those they love. It seems so strange that any 
one who has a human heart could keep en- 
slaved their fellow-creatures who have the 
same God-given aspiration for happiness, home 
and heaven; and what a blot on this summer 
land where heaven bends down to earth caress- 
ingly. 

Some of the old darkies told her harrowing 
stories of some who were sold to cruel masters. 
One old slave said that her mother belonged 
to a bad man, who, when she grew old and 
valueless let her starve, and when dead had her 
put into a cart and then in a hole dug way 
off, and buried like a hog. 

Another story was of a slave who was made 
to feed sick cows, and being with child when it 
was born its eyes rolled like those of a sick 
cow, and he was club-footed and had a with- 
ered hand. He was shown as a curiosity by 
his inhuman master, and then met a sudden 
death and rude burial. 

The planter heard that Hope sympathized 
with his slaves, and he told Job it would not 
do; and from that time the friendly relations 
of the planter’s family ceased. 

Cecil was not allowed to play with Gay, 
and their disfavor was so apparent that Job 


28 


Job Trotter. 

thought they had better give up the cottage 
and move away. 

There were now rumors of a war against 
the North for Southern independence. Hope 
was sorry to leave the spot where her dear 
husband enjoyed such good health, but she 
agreed with him that it was wise to do so, 
and succeeding events proved it to be the wis- 
est course, as their sympathies were all with 
the North, and against slavery. 

They went to St. Louis. Here they found a 
pleasant home in a private boarding-house, and 
had kind neighbors. The climate was mild 
and the city was settled by stirring business 
men. It was a life that suited Job better than 
the lazy life he had been living further south. 
But soon news of war followed them. A 
border state did not seem to be a place of set- 
tled enjoyment to a man with Northern prin- 
ciples against slavery. The constant discus- 
sions were distasteful to him, and the strong 
expressions against the North, by the majority 
of women, were greatly disliked by Hope. 
They were loth to leave the Union friends 
they had made in the house, but definite views 
must be expressed and all there agreed that the 
Union and her flag must be respected. So they 
bought a large Union Flag and flung it to the 
breeze from the front of the house. This made 
a great commotion. Their secession neighbors 
talked against it. They would not pass on 


29 


Job Trotter. 

the sidewalk under the flag, but crossed over 
to the other side. The children acted as the 
parents did. Gay was again left by his 
playmates, and not only that, but they insulted 
him every chance they had. He often came 
in crying and told his mother that the boys did 
not like him any more, because of the flag. 
Hope heard women say, “If I thought I had 
a drop of Yankee blood in me, I’d cut it out.” 

Hope and Job decided it would be better to 
move to a free state, and so parted from their 
friends, and went to Chicago. 


30 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER XI. 

They arrived in Chicago with glad hearts. 
Here they found fine accommodations in a 
hotel on the beautiful lake. The delightful 
drives and the views of extensive prairies in- 
terested them very much. 

A funny experience came to Hope one day. 
As she wished to go to the West side she 
crossed on the bridge, but before she reached 
the other side it had to turn to let a boat 
through. That brought her to the same side 
she had left, but she did not notice, and walked 
off and went some distance before she dis- 
covered her mistake. There were so many 
beautiful homes on the South side Hope wanted 
to rent one and begin life anew. So they se- 
lected a nice one, and adorned it with pretty 
things, and settled down once more to enjoy 
home life again. 

Years passed on. They spent some months 
of each winter further south, but this was their 
home, sweet home, once more. Gaylord had 
a private tutor, and was fast becoming an 
agreeable companion to his father and mother. 


3i 


Job Trotter. 

This happy condition was unduly disturbed by 
the great fire, when all they had vanished 
forever from their sight. That is, all that 
could burn. 

Job, Hope and Gaylord were spared to each 
other, and they were so thankful for their own 
preservation that all else seemed as nothing. 
They fled to a place of safety, and witnessed 
the most appalling sight that one can behold, 
a city on fire. Hotels, churches, public build- 
ings, business blocks, mercantile establish- 
ments, newspaper offices, humble homes, costly 
residences were all leveled amid flames and 
smoke. It was a horror unimaginable! 

The anxiety, suffering and excitement, pen 
cannot describe nor picture it to those who did 
not witness it. “What shall we do?” “Shall 
we have anything left to start anew ?” “Where 
can we go?” was heard on all sides. Job said, 
“Shall we return to New England?” Hope said, 
“No, we will run no risk of your health.” 

They went finally to try New York. There 
they found the rush for wealth, social posi- 
tion and public prominence carried out to a 
fabulous extent. All could not be at the top 
notch, so jealousy, heart burnings, and expen- 
sive display was the result while vying with 
each other for popularity. This was the life 
of many. 

Job found, in the church of his choice, noble 
Christians, men of great wealth, but who were. 


32 Job Trotter. 

greater in themselves than all their money, 
good as, or better than, gold ; who gave loving 
service to their church. Job and Hope gave 
themselves to a part in the church work that 
was not very popular with the many. The 
Chinese school, a branch of the main Sunday 
School, needed teachers. The superintendent 
sent a notice to the church to call attention to 
the fact. Job and Hope responded, and soon 
after Gaylord and his tutor also were inter- 
ested. Hope had a scholar who admired her 
very much, and at Christmas time sent her 
silk handkerchiefs, red, blue and green. This 
was the best that he could do to express his 
thanks for her teaching. Job was asked to take 
another’s class into his — one man — as his 
teacher was away for a short time. When a 
Chinaman is pleased his complexion is a light 
-yellow, but when displeased it grows a dark 
brown. This man’s face grew quite dark, as 
Job took his teacher’s chair, and he said: 

“Me want old girl back, teach me.” 

He was slow to be pleased, but when the 
old lady returned to teach him his face grew 
radiant. 


Job Trotter. 


33 


CHAPTER XII. 

Job was then given a more advanced 
scholar, who paid good attention, and eyed 
his teacher with great interest. Before long, 
he appeared dressed as “Mellican man,” ring 
on his finger, glass pin in his scarf, and 
gloves! He told his teacher he was going to 
give up his laundry and sell things — sla wher- 
ries, rasbellies, oranges, ice-cleam and lice and 
bread.” When Job told Hope about it she 
said he’d better put his watch chain in his 
pocket or the man would spend all the money 
he earned in jewelry, trying to imitate his 
“Mellican” teacher, as they were especially 
good at imitation. A story is told of the man 
in the kitchen as a help for the cook, who 
always slipped off his shoes as he had seen 
the cook do when she peeled potatoes. 

As each man had a separate teacher, it re- 
quired many as the school grew in numbers, 
and many young ladies from the church were 
invited to take classes. It proved a bad ex- 
periment, as the men became too fond of their 
teachers, and one teacher consented to marry 


34 


Job Trotter. 

her scholar and go with him to China. But 
her friends opposed it so it had to be given 
up, and he returned to China alone, probably 
a heart-broken man. She left the school, as 
it was “too narrow-minded” to suit her. 

The annual boat excursion which was given 
by the men to their teachers was frowned upon 
by some in the church, and was given up, also 
the expensive dinners given by the teachers to 
the school each year were abandoned. 

Job insisted that the object of the school 
was to teach them to read the Bible, and to 
teach them the way of salvation, that they 
might return to China and carry the Gospel 
to their countrymen. 

They were fitted by language and acclimated 
to the country, and could live there and work 
for Christ better than the white people, as it 
was proven more than once. One of the 
teachers, an educated, noble, Christian woman, 
fitted herself to go as a missionary to China 
by learning the language as best she could by 
two years’ study with the intelligent men. She 
went, and taught awhile, but took a fever and 
died. Her devoted husband, a minister, went 
with her and died also with the fever. A son 
and daughter remained there, and did good 
work, and kept well by returning home often 
for a change of climate. 

Job took the matter up in earnest. He 
started a missionary society which was to send 


35 


Job Trotter. 

converts back to China to open chapels there, 
and work to convert the native Chinese so that 
they need not come to this country to learn of 
Christ and salvation. They got a taste here 
for money, so a large fund was started to fur- 
nish good salaries to the men to build chapels 
and to do a special work in each school in 
fitting out the men who love their Saviour and 
love China and hope to return there before 
they die, and if not able to do so wish their 
bodies to be sent there. Such a home-loving 
people should be helped to return to their 
homes and their families and their country, 
and so to spread the Gospel to their “end of 
the earth.” 

It was a kind providence to other nations 
to implant in the hearts of this prolific people 
of 400,000,000 population with immense terri- 
tory, such a strong inborn tie to their native 
land of China. 


3 ^ 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

The Trotter family spent their winters in 
New York City, their summers out of town. 
They went for several summers to a pleasant 
country seat situated on the bank of the Hud- 
son River, where the high cliffs, the grand 
scenery, the fine air, and pleasant surroundings 
inclined them to locate permanently, but they 
felt a desire to see the new city that had arisen 
out of its ashes, and beholding it were amazed 
at what man could accomplish in a compara- 
tively short time. More elegant buildings they 
had rarely seen than were now to be found in 
the city of Chicago. 

Hope was greatly interested in the Woman’s 
Temple of white marble, suitable symbol of a 
pure cause, rising up to its great height, mak- 
ing such a splendid sight by its fine architec- 
ture, showing such good taste, and furnish- 
ing needed conveniences for their Gospel work 
under their noble leader, whose last act and 
thought was for it as a great benefit to the 
cause she loved and had consecrated her life 
to its service, expressing so loudly “Love to 


37 


Job Trotter. 

God and Man.” She little thought she was 
working for her own memorial, and where 
the last view of her lovely face would be taken 
by her comrades who so dearly loved her with 
whom they had worked, and where in its spa- 
cious hall the incense of daily prayer had been 
and continued to be, offered. Here souls had 
been saved and helped by sisterly love follow- 
ing out the Golden Rule. The work faltered 
not; though the dear one was promoted, her 
spirit remained to encourage those left in 
charge, and it was fitting that this splendid 
temple should be her memorial. This “un- 
crowned queen” was entitled to one as beauti- 
ful, but the enemy entered even here and 
impelled by envy and an evil spirit sent shafts 
of spite in every direction under the pretense 
of its showing an extravagant expenditure, 
though no limit was set in other cases of ex- 
pensive travel and sight seeing. But God still 
cares for his own. A rich man took an inter- 
est and by influencing others relieved all in- 
debtedness, and the Dove of Peace rested there, 
where the Prince of Peace had been preached. 
A lesson had been taught and learned that 
leaders should walk in clean garments. Their 
acts should be above suspicion. If they can- 
not praise they can keep silence. If they can- 
not help they need not hinder. The Union, 
whose leader goes about stirring up strife and 
brow-beating its members may retain his office, 


38 Job Trotter. 

and wield mighty power, but his ways are not 
American. We want no foreign potentates in 
America with their secret motto “rule or 
ruin” so different from God’s rule “Blessed 
are the peacemakers.” 

“I wish,” said Hope, “that all the fault- 
finding, dissatisfied, grumbling, mischief- 
brewing, and beer-brewing folks might be ex- 
ported from our country, and never more al- 
lowed to return, both male and female.” 

“How would you do it?” said Job. 

“I would fill ships with them every day in 
the year if needful, and send them to the land 
from which they came, and would have a po- 
lice force large enough to scour the country 
and rid it of all such vermin, and then tear 
down their houses and disinfect the country 
North, South, East and West.” 

“If this were to be your woman’s policy 
I don’t think we would have woman-suffrage 
very soon.” 

“I, for one, do not want woman’s suffrage. 
Let them keep their homes sweet and pleasant.” 

“Some have no homes.” 

“Then they can bestow their inherited 
mother love on forlorn, sweet, innocent, dar- 
ling little children, who have no home or any 
one to love and care for them. Better care for 
them than for pet dogs and cats.” 

“Don’t you think woman-suffrage would 
help some matters?” 


39 


Job Trotter. 

“No; any one can see that public life spoils 
women. They get to wrangling and quarrel- 
ing, and make disgusting spectacles of them- 
selves.” 

“Do not the men also?” 

“They do get excited in debate, and are 
often undignified and ungentlemanly, and we 
may be ashamed of them, but public women 
are a terror. They would add fuel to the 
flame, and no man or angel could quench it.” 

“Well, I trust the time is not far off when 
men will uphold the right with gentlemanly 
courtesy and old-fashioned politeness, and use 
their influence for God and righteousness. I 
think myself that suffrage should be restricted 
rather than enlarged.” 

“Will it not be grand if the time ever 
comes when workingmen save their earnings, 
and support their families instead of the 
saloons; and when rich men use their money 
in large enterprises, for the good of their coun- 
try, and betterment of the world?” 

“Yes, and then could be sung, not on one day 
in the year only, but all the time, ‘Peace on 
earth, good-will to men.’ ” 


40 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

Another summer was spent at a sea-shore 
place on the New Jersey coast, a very beautiful 
and quiet spot where a religious community 
made heaven seem nearer to earth than else- 
where. The grand ocean reminded them con- 
stantly of God’s boundless love. Its billows 
and surf in the moonlight told plainly of his 
lavish beauty on sea and land. 

“God of the Sea, 

Majestic, most profound, 

Enlarge my hound, 

Broader and deeper let me be.” 

The grove of pine, the woods, the birds 
chanted and whispered his praise. The con- 
genial company and the salubrious air con- 
vinced them they had found a pleasant rest- 
ing place. 

Job bought a pretty cottage and gave it to 
Hope. 

“It is too bad,” he said, “that you who 
loved your ‘Sweet Home’ and expected to 


4i 


Job Trotter. 

live there always should have to follow me 
in such a life of change. We have seemed to 
emulate the ‘Wandering Jew.’ ” 

“I think you are looking now at the outside 
of things. I have had a permanent home in 
your heart, and you in mine, for ‘ Tis home 
where the heart is/ ” 

“Now, we can hope to have this cottage for 
our permanent summer home.” 

“Yes, the cottage is very pretty and the air 
suits you better than the coast of New Eng- 
land. We will enjoy it as we always do any 
house where we can live by ourselves, and have 
everything as we like it, free to go and come 
as we please at any time; read, sing and play, 
with no outsiders to be annoyed or displeased. 
It will be an attractive refuge away from the 
public eye.” 

They enjoyed the bathing with its exhilarat- 
ing effects. The boating and the fishing, also 
the entertainments, concerts and religious ad- 
vantages were sources of pleasure and profit. 

“It will well prepare Gaylord for his college 
life that he will enter on in the autumn.” 

“What one can you find good enough for 
our boy?” 

“I have informed myself about different col- 
leges, and give my preference to one where 
the President is a courtly and kindly gentle- 
man. One who is well-fitted both by culture 
and example to be a model for young men.” 


42 


Job Trotter. 

“ I won't let him go to college,” said Hope, 
“if he is going to be hazed.” 

“No, I would not either if that was a neces- 
sity, but it is not; far from it. Those mean 
tricks are of the past.” 

“I won’t have my darling boy kicked about 
by a set of bullies, his bones broken and badly 
injured for life.” 

“No, it is simply barbarous; a lot of fel- 
lows against one. Gaylord is so tall and well- 
developed that I would risk him against any 
one boy. But it is not fair to be attacked 
unawares by a pack of ruffians.” 

“I am not afraid but that he could hold 
his own against any one of his age. His ath- 
letic training has had such good practice with 
you and his tutor.” 

“It is not so much a question of strength as 
of right and decency.” 

“I should think the officers of an Institution 
for the betterment of young men might see 
to their conduct.” 

“They might and do. The one I would se- 
lect, and have about decided on, holds its right- 
ful power over its students. They must bring 
good well-known references as to character. 
None are admitted unless such are satisfactory. 
They must sign a contract to keep the rules 
of the college, and always maintain a cour- 
teous behavior to all in the college or with- 
out. If any one disobeys he is suspended until 


Job Trotter. 43 

he promises to reform, and for a second of- 
fence he is expelled.” 

“That is good, as then the college must 
graduate well-educated and well-mannered 
young gentlemen, such as I hope Gaylord will 
be. ,, 

N “I think he will truly enjoy his life there. 
It will be pleasant and in many ways like his 
life with us; and besides he will have the ad- 
vantage of the society of men who have at- 
tained high literary standing. He will ap- 
preciate all this, as he has already developed 
great love for study and knowledge of all 
kinds. He has a level head, as well as good 
common sense.” 

“Yes, indeed, he has, and I think he will 
enjoy such a life immensely.” 


44 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER XV. 

When he entered college the boys were at 
first inclined to make fun of his name, and 
called him “Gay Trotter,” but they soon found 
out he could trot faster than the best of them, 
and they took great pride in his “feats as a 
gay trotter,” as well as in his feats of strength 
in their games. He could row like a sailor. 
He could pitch ball as well as some profes- 
sionals. At the same time he was first in feats 
of scholarship, and so became a great favorite 
with president, professors, and students. A 
young ladies’ seminary in the town gave them 
an occasional opportunity to meet the fair sex 
at receptions given by the President. Some of 
Gay’s letters had in them funny sayings of the 
girls. “A Southern girl, in talking of good 
things to eat, was asked : ‘Do you like fish- 
balls ?’ 

“She said: T never attended any.’ 

“Another story was of a Western girl who 
was asked the old joke: ‘Do you like Crabbe’s 
Tales?’ 

“ ‘I did not know crabs had tails.’ 


45 


Job Trotter. 

“ T meant read “Crabbe’s Tales/’ ’ 

“ ‘I did not know red crabs had tails.’ 

“After that I wanted to run behind the barn 
and laugh. She was rather excusable. She 
was a mere chit of a girl, and this was her 
first year of boarding school life. Her father 
had loads of money, but not much brains. She 
would inherit the most of his money, but 
doubtful about brains.” 

In another letter he said: “The Southern 
girl is not so bad after all. She is unusually 
bright, handsome, and good-natured. I may 
fall in love with her; but don’t be frightened, 
mother ; I will never marry a girl that you do 
not like to have for a daughter, but will keep 
my heart in an ice-box if necessary until you 
see her, which I hope will be at Commence- 
ment, when, of course, you both will be here.” 

His mother wrote him, giving good advice. 

“Scatter the golden coin of courtesy freely, 
if you would travel over the road that leads 
to success.” 

And in answer to a letter that he was some- 
times lonely and almost homesick, she wrote: 

“Seldom can the heart he lonely, 

If it seek a lonelier still 
Self -forgetting, seeking only 
Emptier cups with love to fill.” 


46 


Job Trotter. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Job had never been to a college to draw 
learning from that fountain, but he loved 
books, and was constantly bringing home all 
the new and desirable ones, as well as old ones 
on subjects he was interested in. He read and 
enjoyed them, and then “passed them on” to 
others. The motto of the whole family was, 
“Pass it on!” 

He learned the truth, that if you would thor- 
oughly enjoy anything, share it with another. 
The family were of one mind in this respect. 
Hope was constantly finding people, young and 
old, who were feeding their minds on chaff. 
She taught and gave away books. Poor little 
children who could not read received from her 
hands alphabets on blocks and primers. To 
all she gave suitable books, and those which 
would be helpful, with the advice, “Pass it on.” 
She influenced those she helped to help others 
in their turn, to read to the blind and ignorant, 
to visit and sing to the sick in their homes and 
in the hospitals, and to sew for the ragged 
poor. In fact, to “be a star in some one’s 


47 


Job Trotter. 

sky.” She did not seek to form new societies, 
but each one she helped to become a society of 
their own, and started kind acts in others, so 
that as far as her influence went she was al- 
ways helpful to others. 

In talking to Job about her work she said: 

“What seemed like a great calamity to us, in 
leaving our home nest stirred up so suddenly 
by your sickness, seems to have been for the 
good of others, as well as leading us to be less 
selfish/’ 

“You never were selfish. Our strange life 
of wandering, I confess, has made me very 
different. I was ambitious to be well thought 
of by those who knew me ; to bear a fine repu- 
tation was my wish, but I have learned the true 
value of my wife, who has turned every cloud 
into sunshine.” 

“I, too, have learned the ‘true value of my 
husband.’ My constant prayer is : 

“Out of my s elfish self , oh, lift me up, 

To live for others, and in living so 
To hear a blessing where'er I go; 

Give me sunshine, and the clouds conceal — 
Oh! let them hut their silver sides reveal.” 

Hope’s interest in the Southern negro after 
their freedom increased when she saw in every 
city and town their surroundings of poverty, 
uncleanness and degradation. Their mode of 


48 Job Trotter. 

life was so very miserable and ignorant, not 
knowing how to read or how to live in decency. 
The only redeeming feature was their love of 
song, one of their favorites being : 

“He frees my soul! He frees my soul! 

Hallelujah! Praise de Lord!” 

Some seemed to think as much of this, as 
that their poor bodies were free. 

Her oft-repeated question was: 

“What can be done for this poor, ignorant 
people?” 

“They must be educated.” 

“Of course they must ; but that will not suit 
all.” 

“What else can we do?” 

“I think of them as I do of the poor China- 
men, that the place for them is where they came 
from. They never can be as we are. It is 
impossible for them to assimilate with the 
whites, and revolting to my thought. It must 
be true, ‘What God has put asunder let no 
man join together/ Such union is against 
nature, and must be repellent to others as well 
as to myself.” 

“We want no mongrel race in our land.” 

“I can’t live as they live; I can’t eat as they 
eat.” 

“We surely can work for their civilization 
without living with them.” 


Job Trotter. 49 

“We could, but they won’t. They aspire to 
whatever we do and have.” 

“Many things are being done for them. 
Many good men are as interested as you are.” 

“They don’t visit them in their filthy homes 
as I do.” 

“They were brought here against their will, 
and it seems right that they should be well 
cared for now by us.” 

“We are not responsible for their being here. 
We did not bring them. If their condition 
had been anything in Africa they could not 
have been enslaved.” 

“Well, this is our work now, as they are 
here and must be cared for.” 

“Why don’t those who are better off among 
them care for these wretched ones?” 

“They do in the matter of education.” 

“But the houses need improving. They are 
spots of destitution, and ought to be attended 
to first of all; but if a colored girl leaves such 
a home and goes among white people and earns 
wages, she spends it on herself by trying to 
dress like white folks with feathers on her hat, 
dresses with trains to them. It is heartless in 
them, to say the least.” 

“Well, the men are the same. They get a 
cane, a tall hat, imitation jewelry, and a cigar 
in their mouths, and try to be 'colored gentle- 
men.’ ” 

“It is strange. Why don’t they first get 


5 ° 


Job Trotter. 

neat, comfortable homes for their wives and 
mothers, and live with them and teach them ?” 

“It is the same old story. Every one for 
himself, and I almost believe what is so often 
said, if a colored man is unusually smart, ‘Why, 
he has white blood in him/ ” 


Job Trotter. 


5i 


CHAPTER XVII. 

“It is a pity that these smart leaders do not 
start settlements among the poorer class, and 
influence them to live nicer in their homes. 
They could be clean, at any rate, however poor 
they were. Water does not cost anything, or 
fresh air. 

“Then, too, the owners of the houses they 
live in ought to see to it that they are kept 
clean, and dispossess them if they do not keep 
them so, and the poorest tenements should be 
torn down, and good ones built in their places.” 

“Yes, I think instead of thousands of dol- 
lars spent in fine educational buildings for 
the few, let the many have decent homes in- 
stead of the squalor and crowded rooms they 
huddle into in the cities.” 

“Instead of the higher education for a few 
hundred negroes, that he may do white man’s 
work, let the thousands in ignorance and neg- 
lect have a chance. Let him who knows 
how to read teach him who cannot read. Let 
them read to the old and blind stories from the 
Bible and so teach them and fit them for eter- 


52 Job Trotter. 

nal life, and ensure the salvation of their im- 
mortal souls before it be too late; that after 
the storms and trials of this life they may 
enter where there ‘is fullness of joy and 
pleasures at God’s right hand.’ It would be 
better for them to have a small missionary 
salary now, and start in their crown of rejoi- 
cing than to aspire to higher salaries that would 
enable them to ride in Pullman cars with white 
people.” 

“Some make good waiters in hotels, don’t 
they?” 

“Yes, some do; others get their uniforms 
and big wages and expect ‘tips’ then want 
higher wages, and if their requests are not 
granted they leave in a body in the height of 
the season. Then the proprietor has trouble 
to fill their places in a hurry, as they hoped 
he would have; not thankful for the good 
places they had and trying to do their best 
and render faithful service they put off to 
another hotel, often for the same wages, and 
play the same game. Some are good, but 
some prove untruthful and unreliable.” 

“How can their places be better filled?” 

“At summer resorts by college boys and 
girls. In winter by many who prefer these 
situations to teaching all the year. This gives 
employment to many white young people, who 
ask : ‘What can I do for a living?’ ” 

“Are the poor negroes at the North that 


Job Trotter. 53 

you have seen in worse condition than the 
poor whites there?” 

“Yes, I think they are. The poor whites are 
bad enough in their dirty houses, but most 
of them have spells of cleaning up, and do 
air their rooms, but the negroes do not like 
much air. They like a warm climate and make 
themselves as warm as possible; in winter they 
will put on all the clothes they have, rag after 
rag, until they look like a very bundle of rags.” 

“Are they worse off now than they were at 
the South in their homes?” 

“Yes, in respect to cleanliness. There the 
overseer obliged them to have clean cabins, 
and at the master’s house the housekeeper re- 
quired every servant in the mistress’s employ 
to be neat and tidy. Their dresses and aprons 
must be spotless. There they were a distinct 
race from the white people, and knew it, and 
kept their proper place as respectful servants 
and working people.” 

“Have you heard how it is at the South 
now with the negro?” 

“Some friends spending the winter there 
say that as a rule they are lazy and shiftless 
and require constant help. The years make 
no difference. They are not thought well of 
as to truthfulness and honesty, and on most 
places dogs are kept to prevent chickens from 
being stolen. They are no benefit to a place, 
as they are not neat in their houses. When 


54 


Job Trotter. 

a wash comes from them each piece must be 
examined to see that there is not brought into 
your home undesirable occupants.” 

“Have they not preaching now and teach- 
ing?” 

“Yes, such as it is. It is mostly by min- 
isters, as they are called by those who go to 
hear them and by themselves, but they can’t 
read and write, and their preaching is a noisy 
ranting, most of it senseless, only screaming 
and moaning; for instance — this was heard at 
one of their Sunday services : 

“ The disciples had their feet washed (a 
groan) um — um — um — so must we — um — -um 
— um — by Jesus it was done — um — um — um 
— so must we — um — um — um.’ What with 
feet washing and the holy dance they make 
religion a holy horror to a real true Christian.” 

“There seems too great a difference be- 
tween the educated and the ignorant negro.” 


Job Trotter. 


55 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

“This deplorable condition of the negro 
ought to be studied into by our wisest busi- 
ness men, and some plan arrived at, and car- 
ried out in kindness to the American and to 
the African.” 

“Why don’t you study the subject?” 

“I believe I will.” 

Job took his time to investigate the subject 
thoroughly. He read all the books he could 
find published by travelers, explores, and mis- 
sionaries. He was convinced that Africa with 
its 13,000,000 square miles was the garden spot 
of the world for the Africans. Its immense 
mines, its water falls, especially “The Victoria 
Falls,” 800 feet deep with vapor like driven 
snow, more beautiful than any other in the 
world; its luxurious growth of fruits of all 
kinds; in fact, all its natural advantages made 
it an Eden for those who loved a hot climate, 
and this was the most healthful and salubri- 
ous of such climates. The gold mines and 
diamond mines made it a profitable country 


56 Job Trotter. 

to live in and make money. If the richest man 
in the world made his money by mines in Af- 
rica, why will not Christian capitalists let the 
negro have the same chance there, for Christ’s 
sake? If a white man can live there to make 
money, why not the negro to make pleasant 
homes as -well as money? It would not cost 
them much to live there. They could go with 
bare feet, as they like to do, all the year in 
that climate, and so save shoes. Their feet 
might get soiled, but it would not show. They 
would need no hats, no bonnets, being no dan- 
ger of their getting tanned. They would not 
have to wear such layers of clothing as they 
do in America. 

Job and Hope thought it just the most de- 
lightful home for the negro. 

The wicked slave-trader brought them from 
Africa, and the South winked at the sin, and 
bought and sold these human beings. The 
North forced them from their owners by a 
war of which they were the cause; now the 
Union should finish the job by making ar- 
rangements to give them the land that is of 
right theirs. Africa for the Africans, say we. 
The rich men of America can bring it about. 
Then when God calls for the record of the 
Nations, Africa as well as China, Italy and 
other nations can each respond for their own 
land. 

He says, “When the Son of Man shall come 


57 


Job Trotter. 

in His glory, shall be gathered all nations.” 
“His eyes behold the nations.” 

“All nations shall call Him blessed.” 

“All nations whom Thou hast made shall 
come and worship before Thee, O Lord.” 


Job Trotter. 


SB 


CHAPTER XIX. 

“It seems to me,” said Hope, “that this 
must be God’s plan for these people, and 
that in helping them in it we would be doing 
God’s will.” 

“It would need a lot of money.” 

“I. should hope that would be had easily, 
‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness there- 
of.’ ” 

Job spoke to some rich men about it. They 
said the plan was feasible, and they would 
take hold of it, so millions were promised. 
The leading negroes were consulted, and they 
said they would be glad to be “like Moses,” 
to “bring their people out.” 

The plan decided on was to buy a gold mine 
in Africa and many thousand acres at first, 
and take out as many families as liked to go 
to begin a new life there. Each family was 
to have a piece of ground given them as their 
own, and a good cabin built for them, that 
they might at last sit under their own “vine 
and fig tree.” The old men would plant their 


59 


Job Trotter. 

gardens with what they liked. The old wom- 
en would keep bake shops. The young men 
would work in the mines and the profits be 
divided, one-half to be theirs, the other half to 
provide schools and churches and support 
preachers and teachers. The young women 
would be dressmakers and milliners, keep the 
houses nicely and marry the young men. A 
colony would be formed with a President and 
other officers, to serve for a term of years, and 
then give others a chance. So the smartest 
and best educated men would be in power to 
settle all public affairs. Not a white man 
would be allowed to stay there, and interfere 
with them. The large capital behind the en- 
terprise would be a permanent one, as those 
willing to help had their own families pro- 
vided for to an amount best for them. “We 
brought nothing into the world, and it is sure 
we can take nothing out of it,” but will find 
“much treasure of ours in Heaven, laid up 
for us,” if we put it there while we live. 

“If men cared less for wealth and fame 
And less for battlefields and glory; 

If writ in human hearts a name 
Seemed better than in song or story; 

If men, instead of nursing pride. 

Would learn to hate it and abhor it; 

If more relied on love to guide, 

The world would be the better for it. 


6o Job Trotter. 

“If men were wise in little things — 
'Affecting less in all their dealings; 

If hearts had fewer rusted strings 
To isolate their kindred feelings ; 

If men when Wrong beats down the Right 
Would strike together to restore it; 

If Right made Might in every fight , 

The world would be the better for it 

— M. H. Cobb. 


It was decided to appoint a committee to 
go to Africa and buy the land in the best lo- 
cation possible. Job was asked to go as 
leader. He said he was willing, if his wife 
would let him go. 

He asked her and she said: “Yes, of course; 
it was a splendid chance to do good. An op- 
portunity that could occur only once in a life- 
time.” 

“You can stay with Gaylord in his college 
town, and then you won’t miss me.” 

“I shall go with you. We have been mar- 
ried twenty years, and moved from place to 
place forty-one times. We have never been 
separated. Our life has been all golden. I 
have kept step with you, and shall I stop now ? 
No, never. ‘Whither thou goest, I will go; 
where thou lodgest, I will lodge; where thou 
diest, will I die; naught but death shall part 
thee and me/ and that but for a short time.” 

“We are not going to Africa to die.” 


Job Trotter. 61 

“I would be willing to die in such a cause.’’ 

“You are a brave little woman.” 

“Why should I be afraid of death? A 

beautiful poet calls it Emancipation.” 

“Why he afraid of death , as though your life 
were breath ? 

Death hut anoints your eyes with clay. O 
glad surprise ! 

“Why should you he forlorn ? Death only 
husks the corn. 

Why should you fear to meet the thresher of 
the wheat ? 

“Is sleep a thing to dread? Yet sleeping you 
are dead 

Till you awake and rise , here, or beyond the 
skies. 

“Why should it he a wrench to leave your 
wooden bench ? 

Why not with happy shout run home when 
school is out? 

“The dear ones left behind! 0 foolish one 
and blind, 

r A day — and you will meet — a night — and you 
will greet! 


62 Job Trotter. 

“This is the death of Death , to breathe away 
a breath 

And know the end of strife , and taste the 
deathless life. 

<( And joy without a fear, and smile without a 
tear, 

And work, nor care to rest, and find the last 
the best.” — M. D. B. 

A party of twelve men formed the company 
that went to Africa, six white men, four took 
their wives, and six colored men. They real- 
ized that what was to be done must be ac- 
complished soon ; as the negro population now 
of 8,000,000 in a few years would increase 
to 16,000,000 and be a nation within a na- 
tion. 


Job Trotter. 


63 


CHAPTER XX. 

Gaylord was greatly surprised by a visit 
from his parents, and the news they had to 
tell him. He appreciated their feeling in the 
matter, and said: 

“It was just like them and they must not be 
gone long but return to see him graduate.” 

He introduced them to “his pretty Southern 
girl, Grace Lovell,” and they too were much 
pleased with her. Her intelligent face, her 
pretty manners, and best of all, her strong 
Christian character, as Gaylord described it to 
them, made them satisfied with his choice. His 
frequent letters cheered his parents during 
their absence. His favorite theme was 
“Grace.” 

“I may have fallen in love with her, but 
don’t be frightened, I will not marry a girl un- 
less you love her too, and are willing to have 
her for a daughter; as I have said before, I 
would rather keep my heart in an ice-box un- 
til I know of your approval; but she is so 
bright and handsome, and good-natured, that 
you, too, will be in love with her, as you know 
her better. You can’t help it.” 


64 Job Trotter. 

His many letters had many jokes in them to 
entertain his parents. In one he told of a 
bright conundrum Grace had originated. 

“Seeing a glass pitcher with roses in it, she 
asked : 

“ ‘Why is a pitcher a suitable vase?' 

“He gave it up. 

“ ‘Because it has a nose for flowers/ 

“ ‘Very good, wasn’t it, for a girl?’ 

“She is the victim of a good joke that has 
got out about her. She does not know that 
any of us fellows know about it. At one of 
our receptions, she was trying to entertain^ 
and make herself agreeable to, one of the 
learned professors. He is a little hard of hear- 
ing. She asked him if he liked bananas? He 
did not answer, but looked at her inquiringly. 
So she repeated the question a little louder. 
He looked thoughtful, and then in a low, dig- 
nified voice, replied : 

“ ‘I have not given the subject of pajamas 
any attention. I judge it to be a Japanese 
word.’ It is needless to say she blushed, and 
turned the subject to one less personal, and 
soon after left the room to breathe the fresh 
air out of doors.” 

Another joke was on a freshman, who was 
rather simple, and some of the fellows got 
in the habit of calling him a flat. He told his 
chum, after a visit to his home, that his 
mother, who was a godly woman, had hung up 


Job Trotter. 65 

on the wall the motto, “God bless our flat.” His 
chum thought it was too good to keep to 
himself, and told Gaylord. While his parents 
were in Africa, Gaylord accepted an invita- 
tion of the brother of Grace to spend his win- 
ter vacation with him at his Southern home. 
He was treated so well by all the family that 
he became in love with them all in general, and 
Grace in particular. 

When his parents returned from Africa, he 
told them of his love for Grace and wish to 
marry her. An invitation was extended to 
Grace and her brother to visit them at their 
seaside home. The result was that the whole 
family came North and took board at a hotel 
in a nearby resort. 

The families became well acquainted, and 
were mutually pleased. Gaylord and Grace 
became engaged, and spent such happy hours 
together as is only possible by the seaside; 
hearing what the wild waves say to each 
other and to them; talking love and romance 
inspired by the moonlight on the water. 

Gaylord was asked by his father what he 
proposed doing for a living. He answered he 
would like to have an orange grove at the 
South and cultivate it. 

This project found favor with his parents, 
and one was purchased and given to him with 
the understanding that he must be practical 
and know that every soul employed by him 


66 


Job Trotter. 

did right and received righteous treatment. 
He said he would take all responsibility con- 
nected with the business, and was sure his 
parents would be satisfied with his manage- 
ment. He selected his servants carefully, both 
for the plantation and for his house. He was 
his own overseer, provided well for all, paid 
good wages, and gave them short hours for 
work that they might have time for rest and 
improvement. They were provided with a 
public hall, used on the Sabbath for preaching 
and teaching, and during the week as a read- 
ing-room with a good library and writing ac- 
commodations. 

They had a good living, and saved up 
money in the bank. When any one wished 
to get married he furnished them with the 
needful things, and sent them to Africa to 
establish a new home there. 


Job Trotter. 


6 7 


CHAPTER XXL 

Gaylord found by experience that white 
labor was better than the negro labor, so he 
fitted out all his servants in good condition 
and gave them a fair start in Africa. 

His plantation was more successful and 
easier managed after that, as one white man 
could in half a day do more and better work 
than one negro in a whole day. The same 
was true in his house, with white servants 
there. He employed the poor Southern whites, 
giving them a chance to make a good living. 
He also employed for outside work some 
Italians, who enjoyed the warm climate and 
took naturally to fruit and flowers. They 
would save up in a few years enough of their 
wages to return to their beloved Italy, and 
could go into business there. Their inspira- 
tion and anticipation was Italy, land of beau- 
tiful skies and gorgeous sunsets and genial 
air. 

“ O , Italy, delightful Italy, 

My heart longs for thee, 

A wanderer now, my thoughts turn hopefully 
Thy beloved shores again to see.” 


68 


Job Trotter. 

In the course of time, Gaylord and Grace 
were married and began life together in their 
pleasant Southern residence. A more beau- 
tiful home where love reigned it were hard 
to find. God was honored. His day was 
honored. Gaylord became the teacher and 
preacher in the Hall he had built, and without 
seeking honors they came to him, for the 
promise is: 

“Them that honor me I will honor. ,, “O, 
what a glory doth this world put on, for him 
who with a fervent heart goes forth under the 
bright and glorious sky, and looks on duties 
well performed and days well spent. ,, 


THE END. 



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